Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44FOCUS - JANUARY 2017 23 “Scugog’s locally owned and operated General Insurance Broker with over 130 years of Broker experience.” FARM • HOME • AUTOMOBILE • COMMERCIAL INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED We live Where you live. 193 Queen Street, Port Perry I 905-985-7306 I 1-800-387-5642 I www.emmersoninsurance.com SINCE 1917 An educator’s job extends beyond delivering lessons and setting tests. In addition to helping to mould solid citizens prepare for life’s challenges, every teacher hun- gers for the opportunity to polish a diamond in the rough by nuturing an extraordinary talent. By simply exposing a student to an area of study, his or her natural gift will often take flight. In 19 years at Port Perry High, Rory Snider-McGrath knew that feeling numerous times. He – and many fondly-remembered students – will reunite Saturday January 28 for a concert benefitting the department he called his professional home. “We have alumni across North America who have pursued music careers,” he reports. “Composers, singers, engineers, and others working in retail music stores. This is our fourth annual concert and we haven’t booked a repeat!” This year’s will feature internationally-known opera singer Leslie Ann Bradley, a prospect which truly excites Rory. “She was my first call this year,” he recounts enthusi- astically. “She said she’d be happy to do anything for the school’s music program, so we quickly settled on a date she could appear.” Rory and Leslie Ann share a passion. For Rory, a year and a half retired from teaching, organizing the concert is a labour of love. “We’ve always had a strong music program in Port Perry. The content we offered changed as staff did, be- cause some had specialties they could lead, but it always exceeded the basic curriculum. I want to continue that tradition.” High school music has, in recent years, been the victim of dramatic contraction. “We used to have three full-time music teachers. Now that’s one and a half. Partly, that trend began when high school changed from five years to four. “Budget restrictions also played a part. The Board funds us generously enough to support our core pro- gram, but it can’t cover the ‘extras’ which have made ours special over the years.” There’s a steady stream of needs, he says. “Instruments eventually have to be replaced, our sound system has to be maintained and updated, and we need to refresh our sheet music. And we’ve run an annual music tour to points in Canada and the US, which has become a tradition at Port Perry High.” Previous experience and his passion for the music pro- gram fueled Rory’s enthusiasm for fundraising. Music is the Voice of the Soul ConCert Keeps the MusiC playing ...................... Please turn to page 35